The Dragon Boat Festival - race

Dragon Boat race


Traditions At the center of this festival are the dragon boat races. Competing teams drive their colorful dragon boats forward to the rhythm of beating drums. These exciting races were inspired by the villager's valiant attempts to rescue Chu Yuan from the Mi Lo river. This tradition has remained unbroken for centuries。


Tzung Tzu


A very popular dish during the Dragon Boat festival is tzung tzu. This tasty dish consists of rice dumplings with meat, peanut, egg yolk, or other fillings wrapped in bamboo leaves. The tradition of tzung tzu is meant to remind us of the village fishermen scattering rice across the water of the Mi Low river in order to appease the river dragons so that they would not devour Chu Yuan。


Ay Taso


The time of year of the Dragon Boat Festival, the fifth lunar moon, has more significance than just the story of Chu Yuan. Many Chinese consider this time of year an especially dangerous time when extra efforts must be made to protect their family from illness. Families will hang various herbs, called Ay Tsao, on their door for protection. The drinking of realgar wine is thought to remove poisons from the body. Hsiang Bao are also worn. These sachets contain various fragrant medicinal herbs thought to protect the wearer from illness。

The Dragon Boat Festival

The Dragon Boat Festival, also called Double Fifth Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth moon of the lunar calendar. It is one of the most important Chinese festivals, the other two being the Autumn Moon Festival and Chinese New Year。


The origin of this summer festival centers around a scholarly government official named Chu Yuan. He was a good and respected man, but because of the misdeeds of jealous rivals he eventually fell into disfavor in the emperor's court。


Unable to regain the respect of the emperor, in his sorrow Chu Yuan threw himself into the Mi Low river. Because of their admiration for Chu Yuan, the local people living adjacent to the Mi Lo River rushed into their boats to search for him while throwing rice into the waters to appease the river dragons。


Although they were unable to find Chu Yuan, their efforts are still commemorated today during the Dragon Boat Festival。

Ching Ming Festival

Ching Ming Festival is one of the 24 segments in Chinese calendar. It normally falls on the 4th or 5th of April because it's depended on the Cold Food Day （105 days after previous year's winter solstice）. In the old days, Ching Ming was celebrated 3 days after the Cold Food Day but Cold Food Day was shorted to one day and then abandoned. So nowadays, Ching Ming and Cold Food Day fall on the same day although no one celebrate Cold Food Day any more. Ching Ming is also known as "Remembrance of Ancestors Day" or 'Grave Sweeping Day'.


On Ching Ming, the whole family will visit their ancestors or relatives' graves. I remember when I was little, we had to catch a diesel train to north New Territories to do grave sweeping. As a kid, I always find it scary when the train go through the dark tunnel of the hill. But there is no more diesel trains running in HK now. If you want to see one, you can find it in the Railway museum in Tai Po Market.


We have to carry incense sticks, joss sticks and paper offerings like paper money and paper clothes and any other paper accessories, depends how serious your family is with this thing. All paper offerings will be burnt for they believe that the relatives can receive the goods and even 'money' this way. As a kid, I am always asked to carry a bunch of flower. Chrysanthemum is normally chosen so don't give Chrysanthemum to Chinese people as gift coz it's a funeral/grave sweeping use flowers, although some households may find it to display home on normal days.


Food like roasted suckling pig, steamed chicken, fruit and wine are offered during the ceremony. Then we will eat it up after the worshipping.


There were children in scruffy looking t-shirts offering you a red piece of paper and a stone to put on top of the grave stone. My family never explains to me what it's for but I suppose red always implies luck so maybe it helps to bring good luck to the dead person? In return, you are supposed to give a few dollars to the children to buy this red paper.


There were also poor teenagers or adults carrying sickles and offer weeding services around the grave stones. As our family visits the graves twice a year （Ching Ming and Chung Yeung）, we can manage with a pair of scissors!


Some superstitious people even carry willow branches with them or hang it on the front door. It's believed that willows help to get rid of evil spirits, when Ching Ming is one of the days that ghosts and spirits wander about.

Chinese Five Big City

Beijing 　　

If your visions of Beijing are centred around pods of Maoist revolutionaries in buttoned-down tunics performing t’ai chi in the Square, put them to rest: this city has embarked on a new-millennium roller-coaster and it’s taking the rest of China with it.　　The spinsterish Beijing of old is having a facelift and the cityscape is changing daily. Within the city, however, you’ll still find some of China’s most stunning sights: the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Park, the Lama Temple and the Great Wall, to name just a few.　　

Hong Kong　　

Hong Kong has the big city specials like smog, odour, 14 million elbows and an insane love of clatter. But it’s also efficient, hushed and peaceful: the transport network is excellent, the shopping centres are sublime, and the temples and quiet corners of parks are contemplative oases.　　Hong Kong has enough towering urbanity, electric streetscapes, enigmatic temples, commercial fervour and cultural idiosyncrasies to utterly swamp the senses of a visitor, and enough spontaneous, unexpected possibilities to make a complete mockery of any attempt at a strictly organised itinerary.　　

Macau　　

Macau may be firmly back in China’s orbit, but the Portuguese patina on this Sino-Lusitanian Las Vegas makes it a most unusual Asian destination. It has always been overshadowed by its glitzy near-neighbour Hong Kong - which is precisely why it’s so attractive.　　Macau’s dual cultural heritage is a boon for travellers, who can take their pick from traditional Chinese temples, a spectacular ruined cathedral, pastel villas, old forts and islands that once harboured pirates. A slew of musuems will tell you how it all came about.　　

Shanghai　　

Although the lights have been out for quite some time, Shanghai once beguiled foreigners with its seductive mix of tradition and sophistication. Now Shanghai is reawakening and dusting off its party shoes for another silken tango with the wider world.　　In many ways, Shanghai is a Western invention. The Bund, its riverside area, and Frenchtown are the best places to see the remnants of its decadent colonial past. Move on to temples, gardens, bazaars and the striking architecture of the new Shanghai.　　

Xi’an　　

Xi’an was once a major crossroads on the trading routes from eastern China to central Asia, and vied with Rome and later Constantinople for the title of greatest city in the world. Today Xi’an is one of China’s major drawcards, largely because of the Army of Terracotta Warriors on the city’s eastern outskirts. Uncovered in 1974, over 10,000 figures have been sorted to date. Soldiers, archers (armed with real weapons) and chariots stand in battle formation in underground vaults looking as fierce and war-like as pottery can. Xi’an’s other attractions include the old city walls, the Muslim quarter and the Banpo Neolithic Village - a tacky re-creation of the Stone Age. By train, Xi’an is a 16 hour journey from Beijing. If you’ve got a bit of cash to spare, you can get a flight.

Henan Travel Guide （china)

Highlight of Henan Province,Songshan Mountain lies southwest of Zhengzhou and it is one of the most famous mountains in China because of the rugged beauty of its peaks and the Bonsai-like appearance of its beautiful old trees. Shaolin Temple, the most famous Buddhist temple in China and the largest of the Songshan range, is located on Shaoshi Mountain. Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Gongfu (martial arts) have long taken on a legendry color and are famous both in and outside China.
　　The name of the province Henan comes from its geographic location. Henan means"the south of the river",indicating that Henan lies south of China‘s Yellow River. The province covers an area of over 160,000 square kilometers (about 62,000 square miles). It is populated by Han, Hui, Manchu, Mongolian and other ethnic groups totaling 92,560,000 people.
　　When to go
　　Henan has a humid warm-temperate climate. Dry and windy in winter and spring,the province is hot and rainy in summer and bakes in strong sunlight during the autumn months. Rainfall averages about 600-1000 millimeters increasing from north to south, as does the annual temperature which increases from about 12.8C in the north to 15.5C in the south.
　　History
　　Henan province is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization due to its location on the Yellow River. This rich historic heritage has endowed Henan with numerous historic treasures, from primitive dwellings to earliest wheel thrown pottery. The remains of some of the earliest human settlements have been unearthed here, including the over 7000-year-old Peiligang Culture Site, the 6000-year-old Yangshao Culture Remains and the 5000-year-old Dahe Culture Remains. All these cultural remains have profound significance in the history of Chinese civilization.
　　Luoyang City has been the capital of nine dynasties since the time of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770BC-221BC).There are many historical sites to be viewed in Luoyang as well as the opportunity to purchase replicas of the famed Tang three-glaze horses. Luoyang‘s Longmen Grottoes, famous for its grand treasure trove of Chinese Buddhist statues, are located 12km (7 miles) south of Luoyang. First sculpted and chiseled around 493 AD when the capital of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534) was moved from Datong City to Luoyang,the grottoes of Luoyang house an awe-inspiring collection of sculpted Buddha and other religious subjects.
　　Kaifeng,one of the ancient capitals,also boasts the following buildings worthy of a visit:Iron Pagoda(Tie Ta)of the Northern Song Dynasty(960-1127),Dragon Pavilion (Long Ting)- site of imperial palace of the Song and Jin dynasties - and the 1400-year-old Xiangguo Temple which is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in China. Also on view in Kaifeng are ruins of the Shang Dynasty, an important part of human cultural and historic heritage. The Shang Dynasty Ruins, also known as the ‘Yin Ruins’, are famous because of the unique style of the large palace and its grand mausoleums, in which emperors of the Shang Dynasty are buried. The bronze vessels of the Shang Dynasty, which were both finely decorated and popularly used by the citizens of the Shang Dynasty, are well-known at home and abroad.

heilongjiang province of china

Are you a snow kind of person？If you like snow then you should visit Heilongjiang,a province,which brings you the wonderful scenery of northeast China. You will have chance to enjoy the national Ski Festival and Ice Festival held every year, and also the culture in the famous music town Harbin. Harbin, famous for its name 'Ice City', is the administrative center of the Heilongjiang Province.
　　Heilongjiang is located at north most of China and has an area of more than 460,000 square kilometers (177,607 square meters). It borders the provinces of Inner Mongolia to the west, Jilin to the south and Russia on the northeast. Historically it was one of the main gateways from China to Russian and Europe.
　　Ethnic Minority Groups
　　With a population of over 36.8 million, there are about 35 ethical groups living in Heilongjiang.Among them the most characteristic ethical groups are Hezhe fishermen, Ewenki Hunters and Daur ethnical group, who raises mainly cattles. Their life styles are very different from each others. So if you are interested, you might feel free to spend time with them.
　　When to go
　　In summer, if you go to Heilongjiang, you will feel cool and comfortable. Average temperature is around 18C to 23C in July. It's definitely a summer resort. In winter, you will experience harsh and extreme cold. Winter in Heilongjiang is long, cold and dry. In January, average temperature is about -31C to -15C, and the record low temperature was -52.3C. So wrap up before you go, or purchase the fine quality leather hats, overcoats and shoes there to keep you warm. Annual average rainfall is 250 to 700 millimeters (9.8 to 27.56 inches), so the crops grow well and the typical northeast foods are dumplings, bread and sausages.
　　What to see
　　Of course, there is more than just cold. You can visit the snow resort. Wu Da Lian Chi,the natural volcano garden of the world. In this unique land witness the volcanoes' ravage to the Heilongjiang Province. Jing Po Lake, the largest mountain lake in China, has a particular and wonderful Diao Shui Lou waterfall; In the arctic pole village Mohe, you may be fortunate to see aurora borealis.
　　Festivals
　　The national Ski Festival is a wonderful program for those who like skiing; and the national Ice Festival displays the exquisite art of ice carvings and its elegant masterpieces. Both festivals are held annually from December to January. During the famous Summer Concerts in Harbin you will hear the most beautiful music in the world, especially the Chinese classical music. All this is pleasing to all both your eyes and ears.
　　Every year, tourists from various countries gather here in the winter months just to get a glimpse of snow. For some visitors it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see snow.

Hebei travel Guide

Hebei Province, with its beautiful Capital, Shijiazhuang,is located to the north of the Yellow River, and to the east of the Taihang Mountains. Hebei is somewhat overshadowed by its neighbors, Beijing and Tianjin, whose vastness covers an area of 190,000 square kilometers (about 73,363 square miles), and its vibrant population is estimated to be at 67,440,000. Hebei's long and proud history can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 476 BC), which dates from 770 BC to 476 BC. At that time it was called 'The Land of Yan and Zhao', because its northern area was dominated by the Kingdom of Yan, while its southern area was occupied by the Kingdom of Zhao. Today, that same area is home to more than 50 minority ethnic groups, such as Han, Hui, Manchu, Mongolian and Korean.
　　When to go
　　Hebei is also known for its moderate climate. The four seasons are felt and enjoyed. In spring it is arid and windy, hot and rainy in summer, balmy and fine in autumn and dry and cold in winter. The annual rainfall averages between 300 - 800 millimeters and its corresponding temperature ranges from 0C to 13C. So the best time to travel to Hebei is during autumn, when you can enjoy the clear and crisp climate.
　　What to see
　　The visitor to Hebei has the unequalled opportunity to view many relics that can be found in this beautiful province. The very famous Mountain Resort of Chengde used to be the largest royal summer resort of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Outside the surrounding wall of the Mountain Resort, the visitor will find a display of several brilliant and glistening temples. They are called 'Eight Outer Temples' and are the largest imperial temples in all of China. The Mulan Paddock in Hebei Province was used as the hunting place for the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. At the present time, it is one of the few natural grassland resorts and a very popular destination for those visitors who are after a bit of fresh air and peaceful countryside. Shanhaiguan Pass, also called 'The First Pass Under Heaven', is the easternmost end of the Great Wall, which winds its way through the north of Hebei. All these beautiful highlights will make the tourist feel excited about the scenery, history and natural beauty which is in the Hebei Province.
　　In the tour to Hebei Province,tourists can not only have a long look at all the historical relics,but they also see all the beautiful natural landscapes that you can only dream of. In summer, tourists can enjoy the sunshine, beaches, and all the fresh air that blows in from the Bohai Gulf in the Beidaihe and Nandaihe Scenic Spots; In spring tourists can ride on the vast and magnificent grassland; In autumn, they can explore the fascinating Yesanpo Scenic Area in Baoding City. And in winter, another spectacular destination in Baoding City is the Baiyang Lake. The Baiyang Lake will be a very special attraction, because tourists can see very unique scenery of reeds and snows.
　　Hebei beckons and welcomes you.

Jingsu Travel Guide

Jiangsu, an eastern Chinese province, has over 1000-kilometer (620 miles） coastline along the Yellow Sea. There are two great rivers flowing through the whole province: Yangtze River from west to east and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal from north to south. With an area of 100,000 square kilometers (38,600 square miles）, Jiangsu is populated by Han, Hui, Manchu and other ethnic groups. Its population totals 73.54 millions. The neighboring areas of Jiangsu are Shandong Province in the north, Anhui Province in the west, Shanghai Municipality and Zhejiang Province in the south.
　　When to go
　　With an annual average temperature ranging from 13 C to 16 C, the climate in Jiangsu is semi-humid and subtropical. There are four distinct seasons with cold winters and hot summers. Besides, the annual average rainfall is 800 to 1,200 millimeters (31.5 to 47.2 inches）, with high precipitation in the southeast and low in the northwest, and 60 percent of the rain falls during the summer. So the best time for a visit should be in spring and autumn.
　　What to see
　　Nanjing, one of the six ancient capitals of China, is also the administrative center of Jiangsu Province. Situated at the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing has numerous tourist attractions for you to access. Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing is very famous and impressive. Opened on December 23, 1968, it is one of the greatest achievements of the Communist Party and a great source of pride to the Chinese. The Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the mausoleum of the great revolutionary forerunner, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, is a well-preserved tourist destination. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum built for Zhu Yuan Zhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty (1368~1644）, is one of the largest ancient imperial tombs in China. Other scenic spots in Nanjing like Qinhuai River, Yu Hua Tai and Qixia Scenic Spot are also well worth a trip if you want to trace back to the long history of Nanjing. As one of the four "furnace" cities in China, tourists are advised not to visit Nanjing during summer.
　　Suzhou is a well-known garden city in Jiangsu Province. It's a historic city in China and also the center of cotton, silk and wool. The Humble Administrator's Garden presents a traditional Chinese ink-and-wash painting before you, and walking in the garden, you would feel you are actually walking in the paintings! The Lingering Garden is one of the best gardens in Suzhou as well as being one of the four most famous gardens in China. Zhouzhuang, a small town near Suzhou, is the China's top water town. The layout of the town and the residential areas maintains the traditional style and the old river ways and boats are very popular among the visitors. Besides, Suzhou has its unique highlights such as Kunqu Opera, Suzhou Opera and Suzhou embroidery.
　　Wuxi, the famous tourist city in Jiangsu Province, is one of the 15 economic central cities in China called as "homeland of fish and rice". Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China, has many islets which have now become the main tourist destinations for visitors. The Three Kingdoms City, built in 1993 to film the famous historical TV serial - the Romance of Three Kingdoms, which is one of the four most famous novels in China, was totally in Han Dynasty style. So when you enter the Three Kingdoms City and sometimes see lots of people wearing ancient costumes, don't be so surprised, it's only a scene for filming actually.
　　In possession of many cultural and historic cities like Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi, Jiangsu has abundant tourist resources. Far beyond your expectations, Jiangsu is really an ideal tourist resort.

Hunan Travel Guide

Located in the south central part of the Chinese mainland, Hunan has long been known for its natural beauty. Hunan is surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and south, and by the Yangtze River on the north. Hunan's mixture of mountains and water makes it among the most beautiful provinces in China. For thousands of years, Hunan has been a major center of Chinese agriculture, growing rice, tea, and oranges.
　　When to go
　　Hunan has a humid, subtropical climate. The monsoon rain falls mostly in April, May, and June. July and August are uncomfortably hot and humid. The best time to visit is in the fall, when temperatures are cooler and the rainfall lighter. For persons who live in cold northern climate, traveling to Hunan in the winter can be pleasant. After all, any place that grows oranges can't be all that cold. Low temperatures in winter are usually above freezing, with daily highs around 10C. Annual rainfall is around 1,250 - 1,750 millimeters (49.2 to 68.9 inches）. Northern Hunan has more climate extremes than southern Hunan. It can get colder in the winter and hotter in the summer.
　　What to see
　　The headspring of life, Dongting Lake, is frequently mist-covered in the early morning. It is the second largest lake in China. Yueyang City, located on the shore of Dongting Lake, is home to one of China's three famous towers. Yueyang Pavilion was originally built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907）. The present pavilion is of recent reconstruction, built in the style of the Song Dynasty (960-1279）.
　　In 1982, China established its first national forest park. Zhangjaijie National Forest Park was established in a particular scenic area in northwest Hunan. The park is especially known for its quartz-sandstone rock formations, bare stone sculpted by nature and set among green trees and frequent clouds.
　　The high and steep Mt. Hengshan is frequently snow-capped in the winter, contrasting with the subtropical fields that one sees below it. It is one of the five most famous mountains in China. Known for its precarious cliffs, it is a holy mountain for both Taoists and Buddhists.
　　The region along the Yuanjiang River is especially well known for its serene beauty. It takes its name, the Peach Blossom Fountainhead, from a work of Chinese literature from the Jin Dynasty (265-420）. Tao Yuanming wrote about an isolated Utopia-like paradise where generations of people had escaped from the difficulties that others had experienced. The Yuanjiang River region has been a travel destination since ancient times.
　　Historic Changsha, one of China's famous cultural centers, is the capital of Hunan Province. It is also a tourism center, offering its visitors many historical sites and other places of interest.
　　Highlights
　　Hunan's cuisine has its unique flavor. In Hunan, nearly every dish tastes hot, and delicious. The people of Hunan like eating peppery foods.
　　Hunan's products include Xiang embroidery, one of China's four famous embroideries. It has high artistic value. With 200 years of history behind them, the chrysanthemum stone carvings of Liuyang are vivid and exquisite. Liuyang City is known for its firecrackers, which are popular all over China.
　　Many great people have come from Hunan Province. In ancient times, Quyuan, a patriotic poet, committed suicide by throwing himself into the Miluo River. The story of his death and the search for his body started the tradition of Dragon Boat Festival. Chairman Mao, idol of the Chinese people, was born in Shaoshan. Zhu Rongji, one of the important leaders in the country, also comes from Hunan Province. Such famous people show that Hunan is a place that has cultivated talent as well as being a destination for tourists.
　　With abundant natural resources, Hunan covers 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles）. It is adjacent to Jiangxi Province in the east, Chongqing Municipality and Guizhou Province in the west, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Autonomous Region in the south, and Hubei Province in the north. Hunan has a total population of 64,400,700. It is multiethnic, with Maio, Dong, and Yao being the most numerous minorities. Their unique cultures and ethnic customs attract numerous tourists.

Inner Mongolia Travel Guide （china）

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, bordering to the north with both the Republic of Mongolia and Russia, is the widest province in China (by its latitude）. It is the third largest Chinese province (over 1.1 million square kilometers or 424,736 square miles） but not very populated. The province has about 24 million inhabitants. Many ethnic groups are living in this area including Mongolian, Daur, Oroqen, Ewenki, Hui, Han, Korea and Manchu. Hohhot is the capital of Inner Mongolia.
　　When to go
　　Climate in Inner Mongolia is very different during the year. Winter is cold and can be very long, with frequent blizzards. Usually summer is short and warm. The climate changes from arid to semi-humid from west to east, and to humid in the northeast. The annual rainfall is 80 - 450 millimeters, also increasing from west to east. The main feature of the climate here is that the different in temperature between days and nights is very big, so tourists should wear layer of clothes when traveling here.
　　What to see
　　Inner Mongolia has a peculiar natural scenery, long history and brilliant culture. There are many historic sites in this area. Some of the key historic sites are:
　　Wudangzhao Monastery in Baotou is a vast complex and used to be the residence of the highest ranking lama in Inner Mongolia and now it is the only intact Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Inner Mongolia.
　　Inner Mongolia is the hometown of Genghis Khan (1162-1227）, the great leader of Mongolians. His Mausoleum, located 185 kilometers (about 71 miles） south of Baotou, holds his clothing buried in his memory.
　　Dazhao Temple is one of the biggest and best-preserved temples in Hohhot. Xilituzhao Palace is the largest surviving Lama temple in Hohhot.
　　Zhaojun Tomb, six miles to the south of Hohhot, is located on one of the most beautiful scenes of ancient times. A legend says that each year, when it turned cold and grass became yellow, only this tomb remained green and so it got the name Green Tomb (Qing Zhong）.
　　Wanbu Huayanjin Pagoda, also called White Pagoda, used to be a place where nearly ten thousand volumes of Huayan Scripture were preserved. It is an exquisite and magnificent brick-wood structure about one hundred and fifty feet tall.
　　But what is most attractive about Inner Mongolia is its natural beauty. Vast grasslands, including the Xilamuren Grassland, Gegentala Grassland and Huitengxile Grassland are all good places for a grassland experience. The mushroom-like yurts, bright sky, fresh air, rolling grass and the flocks and herds moving like white clouds on the remote grassland, all contribute to make the scenery a very relaxing one. While visiting Inner Mongolia you may try different activities such as Mongolian wrestling, horse & camel riding, rodeo competitions, archery, visiting traditional families and enjoying the graceful Mongolian singing and dancing. The best time to visit the grassland is definitely during the traditional Mongolian Nadam Festival period when there is a better chance to both participate and feel the lively atmosphere of the grassland life.
　　You can also visit deserts in Inner Mongolia. The deserts are located in the western part of the province: the most famous and visited ones are the Badain Jaran Desert, Tengger Desert and Kubuqi Desert. Early autumn (from the middle of August to the end of September） is the best time to explore the desert as the temperatures are very temperate.

Hubei Travel Guide （province of China)

Hubei province is situated in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and to the north of Dongting Lake. It is surrounded by Henan Province to the north, Jiangxi and Hunan to the south, Anhui to the east, Sichuan to the west and Shaanxi to the northwest. Hubei covers an area of 180,000 square kilometers (about 69,500 square miles） with a large population of 60,280,000. Its capital, Wuhan, is located in the southeastern part of the province.
　　Hubei has been said to be one of the originating places of the Chinese people. Today many minority ethnic groups live in this area including: Miao, Tujia, Dong and some others.
　　When to go
　　Hubei has a subtropical monsoonal climate with a humid and hot summer, dry winter and strong sunlight in autumn. Annual rainfall averages 800-1600 millimeters and with average temperatures ranging from 15C-17C. Most places in Hubei enjoy four distinct seasons, with the best times to travel there being spring and autumn.
　　What to see
　　The long history and the brilliant Chu culture endow Hubei with numerous cultural relics. Ancient towers, grottoes, city remains, imperial mausoleums, temples and nobilities' native places can be found throughout the province.
　　As the heaviest musical instrument in the world, the set of bronze chime bells unearthed from the Tomb of Marquis Yi of the Zeng State can be found in the Hubei Provincial Museum. With a total weight of 2567 kilogram, the set of bells consists of 65 pieces. The biggest bell is 152.3cm (five feet） high and 203.6kg and the smallest 20.4cm (less than one foot） long and 2.4kg.
　　Wudang Mountain is a sacred Taoist mountain with hundreds of temples and palaces. East Lake, located on the eastern side of Wuchang City, is one of the major tourist attractions in Wuhan. It is the biggest lake within a city in China. Yellow Crane Tower, located on Snake Hill in Wuchang City, is one of the three famous towers south of the Yangtze River.
　　Hubei also boasts impressive natural scenery. The Three Gorges offers an unmatched painting of water and mountains. The World Famous Yangtze Three Gorges Dam Project is located in Hubei Province, just outside of Yichang City. It is not only the largest water conservation project in China, but also the largest water conservation project in the world.
　　The national reservation of Shennongjia is a dense wilderness in western Hubei province. It has always been a mysterious place, an enigma in Chinese geography. Since the discovery of traces of wild people there, it has aroused people's curiosity about it all the more.
　　Other attractions include Chibi (Red Cliff） where a famous ancient battle happened and Jingzhou, a historical city made famous by Three Kingdom battles are also worthy of sight.

Taiwan Travel Guide

Taiwan lies like a spindle in the southeast of Asia. It is a rare tropical mountain-island in the world, two thirds of which is covered with high mountain ranges. The most famous of the mountains, Ali Mountain, is the symbol of charming Taiwan.
　　Located in the subtropical ocean, Taiwan offers tourists comfortable weather and has no winter all the year round. With the pleasant climate, Taiwan can sustain vast biology resources. It is worth to visit Taiwan for its natural sights， such as the high and steep mountains and the dense atmosphere of seashore holidays. The island has another Portuguese name, Formosa, which means 'beautiful island'. In addition, Taiwan has many wonderful man-made tourist recourses， such as the famed Matsu Temple and Taipei National Palace Museum.
　　Overlooked from Fujian Province, Taiwan is neighbored by Japan in the north and Philippines in the south. Unsurprisingly, the island has become a hub for travel between places in Asia and is one of the tourist destinations with the most convenient transportation in the world.
　　Concurrently home to different groups mainly from the southern Fujian Province, Hakka and the local people， Taiwan also features various colorful human cultures. You will detect the harmonious and prosperous atmosphere in Taiwan's religions, architectures, languages and dining. Tourists should take special care not to miss the dainty dishes here - in fact, Taiwan is dubbed the 'Kingdom of Delicacies' by gourmets.
　　During the past decades, Taiwan's economy emerged as a miracle. As of today, it is the primary source of foreign capital for South-East Asian countries, thus allowing them to provide complete and high-quality tourist services and facilities.
　　If you have an opportunity to visit the southeast of Asia, make sure to include Formosa in your travel plan. The beautiful island will offer you an appealing trip that you will find it hard to tear yourself away from.

Jilin Province Travel Guide (China)

Jilin Province is situated in the central section of China's northeast region. It is bordered by Heilongjiang on the north, Liaoniang to the south, Inner Mongolia on the west and North Korea on the east. This location gives Jilin Province its favorable temperate climate, which includes a lengthy winter with snow that can start as early as October and last until April. Despite the winter cold, people flock to this area for the Ice Lantern Festival and the winter sports. Jilin is known as an area for winter sports and has produced some of the best ski resorts in China. However, Jilin has many other natural and historical attractions to entertain its residents and visitors.
　　What to see
　　Changbaishan (Tall White Mountain) includes several highlights that will delight any visitor. There is the mountain itself, which is a nature preserve that has tigers, deer, black bears, leopards, and sable among the more than 200 varieties of wildlife that live in its original, undisturbed forests. Within the forests are innumerable hot springs and a more than 1,500 species of plants. Rare birds, such as the flying Dragon Bird, also make their home in this mountain forest. On the very top of the mountain is Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). The view is nothing short of miraculous and perhaps, as a reward for climbing up this volcanic cone, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the lake's very own resident 'monster.' The mountain also includes a spectacular waterfall which is the source of the Song Hua River. The western side of the mountain range has three lakes： Songhua, Tai Lake, and Dongting Lake, as well as China's largest ice-skating training facility.
　　Another nature preserve in Jilin is Xianghai in Tongyu County. This preserve contains more than 100 swamps of varying sizes, 170 species of birds including many that are rarely seen elsewhere, a wide variety of fish, more than 250 different herbal plants, and a wide variety trees.
　　Interesting historical landmarks are also available in Jilin Province. One of the most famous is the General's Tomb. This granite pyramid was built in the 4th Century for the king of the Gaogouli nation. Its seven stories sit on a base that covers almost 1,000 square meters (about 10,746 square feet). The stones of this pyramid each weigh several tons. The construction of this pyramid was an ominous undertaking for its time. Hiding within the massive stone structure, are a secret passage and the coffin of the king.
　　In Fu Yu County there is a stele monument called Deshengtuo. The stele was built in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 A.D.) and has a singular beauty. Made of a green stone, the top has four dragons carved into it. The center part has 815 characters of poetry and praise on one side and the other side has double that amount of writing. At the base is a giant tortoise, whose body is also heavily inscribed, finishes the composition of this stele.
　　Pu Yi, the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, lived in Chang Chun, the capital city of Jilin, in an Imperial Palace for 14 years (1931 - 1945). This luxurious palace, which also was the administrative departments of the 'Puppet Manchurian Government' has hills, gardens, ponds, swimming pools, and various other forms of recreational facilities. The architecture and design of this 12-hectare (30-acre) palace is a worthy site to visit for its beauty and unique historical importance. Photographs of the emperor, his weddings, wives, parents, and English teacher are on display in the museum.
　　Jilin has so much to offer in natural beauty and resources - fertile land, dense forests, and rich mineral deposits, countless plants and herbs, a wide variety of birds and animals, and vast grasslands. Did you know that in the city of Jilin there is a Meteorite Shower Museum that houses the largest piece of a meteorite found anywhere in the world? Jilin truly has a diversity of activities and sights.

Tian'anmen square

Tian'anmen（the Gate of Heavenly Peace）， is located in the center of Beijing. It was first built in 1417 and named Chengtianmen（the Gate of Heavenly Succession）。 At the end of the Ming Dynasty， it was seriously damaged by war. When it was rebuilt under the Qing in 1651， it was renamed Tian'anmen，and served as the main entrance to the Imperial City，the administrative and residential quarters for court officials and retainers. The southern sections of the Imperial City wall still stand on both sides of the Gate. The tower at the top of the gate is nine-room wide and five–room deep. According to the Book of Changes，the two numbers nine and five，when combined，symbolize the supreme status of a sovereign. During the Ming and Qing dynasties， Tian'anmen was the place where state ceremonies took place. The most important one of them was the issuing of imperial edicts， which followed these steps：
1） The Minister of Rites would receive the edict in Taihedian（Hall of Supreme Harmony），where the Emperor was holding his court. The minister would then carry the decree on a yunpan（tray of cloud），and withdraw from the hall via Taihemen（Gate of supreme Harmony）
2）The Minister would put the tray in a miniature longting（dragon pavilion）。 Beneath a yellow umbrella and carry it via Wumen（Meridian Gate），to Tian'anmen Gate tower.
3）A courtier would be invested to proclaim the edict. The civil and military officials lining both sides of the gateway beneath the tower would prostrate themselves in the direction of the emperor in waiting for the decree to the proclaimed.
4）The courtier would then put the edict in a phoenix-shaped wooden box and lower it from the tower by means of a silk cord. The document would finally be carried in a similar tray of cloud under a yellow umbrella to the Ministry of Rites.4）The edict，copied on yellow paper，would be made known to the whole country. Such a process was historically recorded as " Imperial Edict Issued by Golden Phoenix". During the Ming and Qing dynasties Tian'anmen was the most important passage. It was this gate that the Emperor and his retinue would go through on their way to the altars for ritual and religious activities.On the Westside of Tian'anmen stands ZhongshanPark（Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Park），and on the east side，the Working People's Cultural Palace. The Park was formerly called Shejitan（Altar of Land and Grain），built in 1420 for offering sacrificial items to the God of Land. It was opened to the public as a park in 1914 and its name was changed in 1928 to the present one in memory of the great pioneer of the Chinese Democratic Revolution. The Working People's Cultural Palace used to be Taimiao（the Supreme Ancestral Temple），where tablets of the deceased dynastic rulers were kept.The stream in front of Tian'anmen is called Waijinshuihe（Outer Golden River），with seven marble bridges spanning over it . Of these seven bridges，historical records say the middle one was for the exclusive use of the emperor and was accordingly called Yuluqiao（Imperial Bridge）。 The bridges flanking it on either side were meant for the members of the royal family and were therefore called Wanggongqiao（Royal's Bridges）。Farther away on each side of the two were bridges for officials ranking above the third order and were named Pinjiqiao（ministerial Bridges）。The remaining two bridges were for the use by the retinue below the third order and were called Gongshengqiao（common Bridges）。They are the one in front of

the Supreme Ancestral Temple to the east and the one in front of the Altar of land and Grain to the west.The two stone lions by the Gate of Tian'anmen，one on each side were meant as sentries. They gaze toward the middle axis，guarding the emperor's walkway. In front of the gate stands a pair of marble columns called Huabiao. They are elaborately cut in bas-relief following the pattern of a legendary dragon. Behind the gate stands another pair of similar columns. The story of Huabiao may be traced to a couple of sources. One of the versions accredits its invention to one of the Chinese sage kings named Yao，who was said to have set up a wooden pillar in order to allow the ordinary people to expose evil-doers， hence it was originally called a slander pillar. Later it was reduced to a signpost，and now it serves as an ornament.The beast sitting on the top of the column is called "hou"，a legendary animal，which is said to have been a watcher of an emperor's behaviour. He was doing such duties as warning the emperor against staying too long outside the palace or indulging in pleasure and urging him to go to the people for their complaints or return in due time. Therefore，the two pairs of beasts were given the names "Wangjunhui"（Expecting the emperor's coming back） and "wangjunchu"（Expecting the emperor's going out） respectively。

Chinese Great Wall

　　In the north of China, there lies a 6,700-kilometer-long (4,161-mile-long) ancient wall. Now well-known as the Great Wall of China, it starts at the Jiayuguan Pass of Gansu Province in the west and ends at the Shanhaiguan Pass of Hebei Province in the east. As one of the Eight Wonders in the world, the Great Wall of China has become the symbol of the Chinese nation and its culture.

　　Lots of beautiful legends and stories about the Great Wall took place following along the construction, and since that time these stories have spread around the country. Those that happened during construction are abundant, such as Meng Jiangnu's story and the legend of the Jiayuguan Pass. Meng Jiangnu's story is the most famous and widely spread of all the legends about the Great Wall. The story happened during the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC). It tells of how Meng Jiangnu's bitter weeping made a section of the Great Wall collapse. Meng Jiangnu's husband Fan Qiliang was caught by federal officials and sent to build the Great Wall. Meng Jiangnu heard nothing from him after his departure, so she set out to look for him. Unfortunately, by the time she reached the great wall, she discovered that her husband had already died. Hearing the bad news, she cried her heart out. Her howl caused the collapse of a part of the Great Wall. This story indicates that the Great Wall is the production of tens of thousands of Chinese commoners.
　　Another legend about the Jiayuguan Pass tells of a workman named Yi Kaizhan in the Ming Dynasty (1368BC-1644BC) who was proficient in arithmetic. He calculated that it would need 99,999 bricks to build the Jiayuguan Pass. The supervisor did not believe him and said if they miscalculated by even one brick, then all the workmen would be punished to do hard work for three years. After the completion of the project, one brick was left behind the Xiwong city gate. The supervisor was happy at the sight of the brick and ready to punish them. However Yi Kaizhan said with deliberation that the brick was put there by a supernatural being to fix the wall. A tiny move would cause the collapse of the wall. Therefore the brick was kept there and never moved. It can still be found there today on the tower of the Jiayuguan Pass.
　　In addition to the above-mentioned stories about the construction of the Great Wall, there are also plenty of stories about current scenic spots. A famous one is the legend of the Beacon Tower. This story happened during the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-711 BC). King You had a queen named Bao Si, who was very pretty. King You liked her very much, however Bao Si never smiled. An official gave a suggestion that setting the beacon tower on fire would frighten the King's subjects, and might make the queen smile. King You liked the idea. The subjects were fooled and Bao Si smiled at the sight of the chaos. Later enemies invaded Western Zhou, King You set the beacon tower on fire to ask for help. No subjects came to help because they had been fooled once before. Thus, King Zhou was killed by the enemy and Western Zhou came to an end.
　　Beautiful stories and legends about the Great Wall help to keep alive Chinese history and culture. In each dynasty after the building of the Great Wall, many more stories were created and spread.

China Business Travel

China Business Travel

The Chinese dragon has not only woken up but is also moving aggressively to dominate the world business economy. With its annual GDP growth exceeding 9%, China has suddenly become the business destination of the mighty and rich multinational business corporations. China offers great business opportunities to a large variety of businessmen and therefore business travel to China is a must for every business executive.

Although China offers great business promise, there are certain factors you need to keep in mind before planning a business trip to China. While traveling through China, you may have to face the language barrier in communicating with the Chinese - starting with the cab driver to the hotel manager and ending up with your counterparts in your business. English, though the lingua franca of the world, is usually neither spoken nor understood in China.

Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Guangzhou are the main business destinations - besides numberless other smaller places. It is therefore advisable to contact a travel agency that specializes in China tours in these cities, and book a suitable hotel for you as per your budget.

The first important item to deal with is the language problems. For that you need an English-speaking guide as soon as you land in China. You should make sure that your travel agency provides you an English speaking cab driver who will be the first man to meet you as you step out of the airport. A non-speaker of Chinese cannot move about China without a guide.

Therefore you need a guide who has thorough knowledge of the topography of the area you are visiting and can fluently communicate with you in English. You must ensure that the guide you get is professionally trained and certified by the China Travel Administration.

Two more pointers: first, protect your credit card from fraudulent activity, which is widely prevalent in China. Second, you must be aware that you cannot drive a car in China even if you are a licensed driver in your country. So you have to rent a car along with a driver for travel around the city.
Business Travel provides detailed information on Business Travel, Business Class Travel, China Business Travel, Business Travel News and more. Business Travel is affiliated with Corporate Travel Agencies.

China Tour Packages

China Tour Packages

Most people who travel to China for pleasure go to a travel agency who offers packaged tours. When choosing a travel agency, it is wise to do some research to ensure that the agency you select has an excellent foreign travel reputation and offers first class package China tours. Check to see if they have an affiliation with China Professionals-Workers' International Travel Service Head Office. CPITS is located in Beijing and runs a network of over (150 local and regional branch offices in major cities as well as the tourist regions in China.
Popular tours include the Yangtze River that is truly one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders. The gorges of this famous river climb thousands of feet on both sides, and it is truly breathtaking to witness. While cruising along the river, you will look at life in places like Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Suzhou and Chongqing. This tour offers shore excursions including ancient cliff coffins at Shennong Stream and exploring the historic temples of Shibaozhai. These quaint locations offer some of the best natural and historical sightseeing China has to offer. This is one of our most popular tours and no matter what agency you go with, departure dates fill up quickly every year. This tour makes it last stop in Beijing where you will see the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City of China.
Beijing is the last stop on your journey through China, where you explore Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall.
China Tours provides detailed information on China Bicycle Tours, China Great Wall Tours, China Guided Tours, China Tour Operators and more. China Tours is affiliated with China Travel Services.